How to Buy an Umbrella Cockatoo
As with buying any new pet, it is important to make sure you can dedicate the time and energy to an umbrella cockatoo. With a life expectancy of 40 to 70 years, a cockatoo is a lifelong commitment. These birds need attention and can be loud, but they are also intelligent and affectionate. Once you have made the choice to buy an umbrella cockatoo you will find a loving pet.
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Instructions
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Check the bird's eyes to ensure they are bright and dry. Birds with red or swollen eyes or those with discharge coming from their eyes are not healthy.
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Find a bird that is active. Healthy umbrella cockatoos are social creatures that enjoy getting out of their cage, exploring and doing acrobatics. The bird should not be sitting on the floor of his cage.
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Look at the nose to see that it is dry and free from discharge. The beak should have no swelling. The bird should be able to breathe well with no sign of wheezing.
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Watch the cockatoo's eating habits. A healthy bird will eat and drink throughout the day. If there is a loss of appetite, it may be a sign of illness. Also, monitor the birds stool to see that it is not runny.
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Inspect the general appearance of the cockatoo. Make sure the beak, legs and feet are normal with no breaks. Check to see that the bird uses both feet equally. Feathers should be clean and smooth.
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Tips & Warnings
It's often better to look to a breeder instead of a pet shop when buying an umbrella cockatoo. This is partially because breeders tend to offer their birds at a lower price (due to a lower overhead) and because their birds tend to be better socialized and used to people as they would have more time to give them some one-on-one attention.
Many people consider the umbrella cockatoo the most popular of all the cockatoo breeds. This is largely due to their extremely loving nature and because they are moderately priced.
Large cockatoos can be very temperamental and live up to 90 years, you must be willing to devote a lot of time and attention to these types of birds. Your bird will most likely outlive you, so you also need to keep in mind what will happen to it if this should happen.
Large birds need lots of space and you shouldn't leave them locked in their cage all day. Stressed cockatoos will often pull out all of their feathers or self-mutilate.
